Winter 2003
The Creative Word
Wade E Taylor

“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing
words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit
and of power.” I Cor 2:4.

The Words that I speak for the Lord must be anointed, and they must contain spiritual substance and value that transcends mere intellectual comprehension. These words should have the “ring” of spiritual quality, and convey life, healing, and deliverance.

“But the natural man receives not the things of the
Spirit of God ... neither can he know them, because
they are spiritually discerned.” I Cor 2:14.

The Lord seeks those who are willing to exchange their reliance on intellectual ability for a total dependence on the operation of the Holy Spirit through them. To “witness” for the Lord is to speak the right word at the right time, an anointed, penetrating word that will accomplish the purpose for which it was sent.

“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden ...” I Cor 2:7.

In order to speak forth this creative word, we must become “prophetic.” The key to the ministry of Jesus was His prophetic anointing, as expressed in Isaiah 50:4. Notice the progression,

“The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned,
that I should know how to speak a word in season to
him that is weary: He wakens morning by morning,
He wakens My ear to hear as the learned.” Isa 50:4.

The ability to speak with “the tongue of the learned” is a gift, (“The Lord God has given”). This ability to speak the right word (“that I should know how”) at the right time (“a word in season”) to the right person (“to him that is weary”) is prophetic.

To develop this prophetic enabling requires that we spend quality time, “waiting on the Lord.” We must spend time in His presence each day (“He wakens morning by morning”) in order to function in this prophetic ministry.

To be “awakened” speaks of our being lifted above the limitations of our natural sense of perception and understanding, into the realm of the supernatural, as we are quickened by the Holy Spirit. It means that we have developed a keen sense of spirit perception.

When we seem to fail or are distracted, we must not become discouraged, but continue to hold our “spirit” before the Lord in expectancy. As we do this, we must become more sensitive and available to hear, “as the learned.” The Lord responds when we reach out toward Him, as He greatly desires a prophetic people. He will bring us into an increasing degree of prophetic sensitivity and ability, if we will do our part in spending time in His presence.

Moses said, “… would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them.” Numbers 11:29. In Amos 2:12-13, the Lord also expresses this desire. “But you … commanded the prophets, saying, prophecy not. Behold, I am pressed under you, as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves.”

In other words, because the prophetic word was restricted, the Lord expressed Himself as being a “voice” that desired to speak, but was suppressed. This pictures the intense desire of the Lord to speak to His people. John the Baptist became a voice for the Lord. He said, “I am the voice of one crying …” John 1:23. Notice that John did not merely give a prophetic word; rather he “became” the voice of one crying. John did more than prophesy; he became prophetic.

There is a place of prophetic identity with the Lord, into which we are called to grow.

“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection,
and the fellowship of His sufferings.” Phil 3:10.

This “fellowship” speaks of a prophetic identity with the very heart and feelings of the Lord. We are to become vessels through whom the Lord may express Himself as He desires. This involves our knowing the Lord beyond the realm of ministries and gifts.

There are five different levels of prophetic development.

1. Inner revelation. The secret of our becoming prophetic is expressed in Psalm 119:25. “My soul cleaves to the dust: quicken You me according to Your word.” We were formed from the dust, thus, there is no order or structure in our lives that will enable us to function in spiritual things. This must be added by our creator. The word “quicken” means “life empowering.”

To be “quickened” is the first level of inner revelation, which comes by impartation. He “wakens” us “morning by morning” and lifts us into this dimension of prophetic vision. We become spiritually sensitive, and our spiritual capacity is enlarged.

2. Our Testimony. “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God gives ...” I Peter 4:11. An “oracle” is a divine communication. This means that our “word” must be a quickened word from the Lord, not our own word or thought.

Words are understood by the image they convey. A true prophetic word goes beyond this mental image, and through the anointing, imparts “spirit and life.” It is not through the “letter of the word,” but rather, through the “anointing” of the Holy Spirit that life is conveyed.

3. The Gift of Prophecy. This gift is available to all. “For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.” I Cor 14:31. The gift of prophecy has limitations in its purpose and use. The Scripture tells us that “we prophesy in part.” (I Cor 13:9b). Also, it is limited to “edification, and exhortation, and comfort.” (I Cor 14:3). The gifts should edify the Body of Christ in an attitude of sacrificial love. The gifts should operate through a life of holiness, that Jesus Christ, not the vessel being used, will be seen.

“Desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy.” I Cor 14:1b. The italics means that the word “gifts” is not in the original text. The correct translation should read, “Desire spirituals,” or in other words, “Desire to see and speak prophetically as we are quickened by the Holy Spirit.”

4. The Office of the Prophet. The Lord needs prophets in our day. A “prophet” is one who speaks a specific word, in a specific place, at a specific time. He speaks in
the stead of God, as His mouthpiece. The prophetic office is a limited ministry (“are all prophets?”), and distinctly differs from the gift of prophecy. All may prophesy, but the Lord chooses whom He will for this ministry. This is very costly, as those who are called to this ministry must submit themselves to a life of discipline and guidance.

5. The Spirit of Prophecy. “...for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy.” Rev 19:10. This is the highest realm of prophecy and is motivated by “relationship” rather than by “gift.” The gift of prophecy relates to “doing.” The spirit of prophecy relates to “being.” The gift of prophecy requires our being yielded to the Holy Spirit in order to function, but is not necessarily an indication of right living, as is the “Spirit of prophecy.”

As we mature spiritually, our lives reflect a greater quality of spirit with its resultant expression, which transcends the gift realm of ministry. The “Spirit of Prophecy” expresses a life that has become a witness to Him (not merely a witness for Him). It goes beyond words and becomes a “demonstration of the Spirit and of power.”

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a
mirror the Glory of the Lord, are being transformed
into the same image ...” II Cor 3:18 NKJV.

As we become “one” in union with Him, our lives act as a mirror that reflects the person and the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, “the testimony of Jesus, which is the Spirit of prophecy,” can be both seen and heard through us as we “mirror” Him.

The Lord desires to bring His people into this ministry in our day. It will develop through those who have such a “quality relationship” with Him, that through them, the very life and intent of the Lord will be reflected. This requires a people who are pure, holy, transparent, and who know the heart of the Lord and His desires.

At this present time, through divine intervention and activity, there will come forth “in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power,” a creative word that will do away with all religious confusion, and provide for those who desire to go further, a clear word of direction and purpose.

This present word, “The testimony of Jesus, which is the Spirit of prophecy” is urgently needed. As Mary made herself available for the birthing of Jesus into this world, so also, may each of us present ourselves to the Lord to give expression to “His testimony” in this present time of intervention.